2025 country profile

How democratic is
United Kingdom?

United Kingdom scores 78.9 out of 100 and ranks 30 of 179 in our independent 2025 democracy measure. Its lowest-scoring test is public participation. Explore the evidence and history below.

Democracys.org beta estimate, derived from V-Dem v16. A measure of political institutions and conditions—not a percentage of democracy or a judgment of people.

Printable country brief Compare this country

DEMOCRACYS SCORE

78.9out of 100Substantial but incomplete

2025 rank30 of 179

10-year change−3.9

25-year change−4.3

Source-bound range74.3–84.4

Weakest areaParticipation

The source-bound range is an uncertainty guide, not a confidence interval for this combined score. How to read the range →

SCORE HISTORY

United Kingdom, 1975–2025

The shaded area is a plain-language uncertainty guide. Treat small score differences cautiously.

About uncertainty

BEYOND THE NUMBERS

What changed on the ground?

A documented development to help interpret the institutions behind the score.

2024 context · Freedom House assessment

Northern Ireland’s power-sharing institutions resumed work

A devolved government was restored after two years of deadlock. This improved the ability of elected representatives to govern through the agreed power-sharing framework. It is a specific change in institutional functioning, not a claim that every UK-wide concern about protest rights or civil liberties was resolved.

Read the country report · Freedom in the World 2025

AI-assisted source summary · not independently expert-reviewed

What this context does—and does not—explain

This is a selected development, not a complete political history. Its date may differ from the selected comparison period. It is not evidence that one event caused a particular number of points, and it may describe progress even when this index declines.

The scores use V-Dem. The narrative summarizes a separate assessment by Freedom House, whose definitions and coverage differ. Neither organization endorses this website. The summary is AI-assisted, source-linked, and has not received independent country-expert review. Source checked October 5, 2026.

Why democracy measures can disagree →

UNDERSTAND THE CHANGE

What drove the score?

2015–2025 · the measured story

The score for United Kingdom fell 3.9 points, from 82.8 to 78.9 between 2015 and 2025. 1 of the five areas improved while 4 worsened, so the headline combines competing movements. Elections contributed the largest downward push in the score calculation.

Read the political context ↓

Largest influence on the calculation

Elections

The evidence rates electoral choice, voting rights, political organization, and the space for open debate less favorably.

Area score: 85.5 → 77.2
Approx. contribution to overall change: −1.7 points

Moving in the other direction

Public reasoning

The evidence rates public justification, consultation, and engagement with opposing arguments more favorably.

Area score: 83.6 → 86.2
Approx. contribution to overall change: +0.5 points

These contributions explain the calculation—not the causes. The five area scores combine several indicators; they do not identify which individual law, election, or event changed.

When did the biggest shifts appear?

The largest year-to-year movements within this period. These are changes in annual estimates, not precise dates of political events.

2018–2019−1.0 points
The overall score fell from 83.0 to 82.0. Elections supplied the largest downward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2021–2022−1.0 points
The overall score fell from 82.8 to 81.8. Public reasoning supplied the largest downward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2024–2025−1.4 points
The overall score fell from 80.3 to 78.9. Elections supplied the largest downward contribution to that year’s calculated change.

Highest published score in this window: 83.4 in 2017. Small differences may fall within the source’s uncertainty.

See all five areas and how contributions are calculated

Changes in inputs versus contributions to the overall score
Area	2015	2025	Input change	Approx. contribution
Elections	85.5	77.2	−8.3	−1.7
Political equality	84.0	77.8	−6.2	−1.2
Participation	68.6	64.2	−4.4	−1.0
Rights and checks	93.1	90.4	−2.7	−0.5
Public reasoning	83.6	86.2	+2.6	+0.5

We change the five inputs from their starting to ending values in every possible order, then average each area’s effect on the formula. This distributes the formula’s interactions (a Shapley allocation). It is a mathematical attribution, not a causal estimate.

Inputs and published scores are rounded, so contributions are approximate and may not add exactly to the displayed total. No significance test is implied. Read the full scoring method →

BENEATH THE SCORE

Five dimensions of democracy

The headline score cannot show where a political system is strong or constrained. These five tests can. Each has equal weight in the beta standard.

Free and fair elections

Can people choose their leaders through broad voting rights, honest elections, free political groups, and open public debate?

77.2

Rights and checks on power

Are basic freedoms protected, laws applied fairly, courts independent, and leaders prevented from abusing power?

90.4

Public participation

Can people shape public life through civic groups, direct voting, and meaningful local and regional government?

64.2

Public reasoning

Do leaders explain decisions, consult the public, answer opposing arguments, and consider the common good?

86.2

Political equality

Do different social groups have equal rights, access, resources, and a real chance to influence political power?

77.8

HOW TO READ THIS PROFILE

Two kinds of evidence.
One clearer picture.

The score breakdown identifies which parts of the measure changed most. The country report adds documented political context. Together they help explain the institutions at stake—but they do not prove that a specific event produced a specific number of points.

Why this score differs from other democracy indices →

What a declining score can—and cannot—tell us about democratic backsliding

A recent improvement can coexist with a long-term decline. Always compare the dates, check the linked source, and consider developments the selected narrative does not cover.

ANNUAL DATA

United Kingdom score table

Download United Kingdom CSV

Year	Score	Source-bound range	Elections	Rights & checks	Participation	Reasoning	Equality
2025	78.9	74.3–84.4	77.2	90.4	64.2	86.2	77.8
2024	80.3	76.4–86.1	83.2	90.8	63.2	87.3	78.7
2023	81.1	77.1–86.6	85.2	90.9	65.8	84.5	80.1
2022	81.8	78.0–87.2	84.4	91.6	66.1	86.7	81.2
2021	82.8	79.3–87.5	85.7	91.5	68.1	89.5	80.3
2020	82.8	79.3–87.9	87.1	92.2	68.3	85.0	82.6
2019	82.0	78.2–87.5	85.4	93.0	68.2	81.9	82.5
2018	83.0	79.4–87.9	87.5	93.6	68.4	83.6	83.2
2017	83.4	80.1–88.4	86.5	93.5	68.6	83.6	86.1
2016	82.7	79.1–87.8	85.4	93.1	68.6	83.6	84.0
2015	82.8	79.0–87.7	85.5	93.1	68.6	83.6	84.0
2014	82.8	79.2–87.8	86.1	93.1	68.6	83.3	84.0
2013	82.9	79.1–87.8	86.4	93.1	68.6	83.3	84.0
2012	83.4	79.9–88.3	86.8	93.5	68.4	84.9	84.7
2011	83.3	79.9–88.3	86.5	93.6	68.2	84.9	84.6
2010	82.5	79.2–87.6	86.6	93.5	64.2	85.3	84.6
2009	83.0	79.5–87.5	87.0	93.8	64.2	86.0	85.9
2008	83.0	79.5–87.5	87.0	93.8	64.2	86.0	85.9
2007	83.0	79.5–87.5	87.0	93.8	64.2	86.0	85.9
2006	83.1	79.7–87.5	87.0	93.8	64.2	86.0	86.3
2005	83.2	79.7–87.5	86.3	93.6	64.5	86.0	87.4
2004	82.8	79.1–87.3	85.7	93.6	64.5	86.0	85.7
2003	83.3	80.0–87.9	85.7	93.6	64.5	88.8	85.7
2002	83.3	80.0–87.9	85.7	93.6	64.5	88.8	85.7
2001	83.3	79.9–88.0	85.6	93.6	64.5	88.8	85.7
2000	83.2	79.9–87.9	84.8	94.0	64.5	88.8	85.7
1999	81.5	77.6–86.6	83.5	93.8	63.2	85.9	82.6
1998	81.0	77.1–86.1	81.4	93.7	63.2	85.9	82.7
1997	80.6	76.6–85.9	81.1	93.4	63.2	85.9	81.2
1996	79.6	75.2–85.1	81.4	93.6	63.2	83.6	78.0
1995	79.6	75.2–85.1	81.4	93.6	63.2	83.6	78.0
1994	79.6	75.2–85.1	81.4	93.6	63.2	83.6	78.0
1993	79.6	75.2–85.1	81.4	93.1	63.5	83.6	78.0
1992	79.5	75.1–85.1	81.5	92.2	63.8	83.6	78.0
1991	79.9	75.4–85.3	81.6	92.2	64.1	83.6	79.3
1990	80.4	76.1–85.8	81.6	92.2	64.4	84.6	80.6
1989	79.6	74.8–85.0	80.4	91.6	63.5	84.6	79.2
1988	79.6	74.9–85.1	80.4	91.6	63.8	84.6	79.2
1987	79.0	74.0–84.8	80.3	91.6	64.1	81.0	79.2
1986	79.0	74.1–84.9	80.2	91.6	64.4	81.0	79.2
1985	79.1	74.1–85.0	80.2	91.6	64.7	81.0	79.2
1984	79.2	74.2–85.0	80.2	91.6	65.0	81.0	79.2
1983	79.3	74.7–85.3	80.3	91.6	65.3	81.0	79.3
1982	79.4	74.7–85.3	80.5	91.6	65.6	81.0	79.3
1981	79.4	74.8–85.4	80.5	91.6	65.9	81.0	79.3
1980	79.3	74.6–85.3	80.5	90.4	66.2	81.0	79.3
1979	80.4	75.8–86.3	82.1	89.9	63.0	84.3	84.1
1978	81.4	77.2–87.1	82.5	90.4	64.5	85.6	85.4
1977	81.4	77.2–87.1	82.5	90.4	64.5	85.6	85.4
1976	81.4	77.2–87.1	82.5	90.4	64.5	85.6	85.4
1975	80.7	76.2–86.3	82.5	90.4	63.7	85.6	82.6
1974	79.9	75.4–85.5	82.4	90.4	60.4	85.6	82.6
1973	79.6	75.0–85.5	82.2	89.9	60.4	84.6	82.6
1972	79.6	75.0–85.5	82.2	89.9	60.4	84.6	82.6
1971	79.6	75.0–85.5	82.2	89.9	60.4	84.6	82.6
1970	79.5	74.8–85.5	82.3	89.3	60.0	84.6	83.1
1969	79.2	74.6–85.3	81.9	89.0	59.5	84.6	83.1
1968	79.0	74.2–85.0	81.9	88.9	59.5	84.6	81.9
1967	79.2	75.0–85.8	82.9	88.9	59.5	84.6	81.8
1966	79.1	74.7–85.6	82.4	88.9	59.5	84.6	81.8
1965	78.6	74.1–85.4	82.5	88.9	59.2	82.6	81.8
1964	77.9	73.0–84.6	81.0	88.9	59.2	82.6	79.8
1963	77.3	72.3–84.0	80.8	86.4	59.2	83.1	78.7
1962	77.3	72.3–84.0	80.8	86.4	59.2	83.1	78.7
1961	77.3	72.3–84.0	80.8	86.4	59.2	83.1	78.7
1960	76.0	70.4–82.8	80.8	86.3	59.2	77.5	77.5
1959	76.0	70.7–83.0	80.3	86.3	58.5	77.5	79.0
1958	76.0	70.7–83.0	80.2	86.3	58.5	77.5	79.0
1957	76.0	70.7–83.0	80.2	86.3	58.5	77.5	79.0
1956	76.0	70.7–83.0	80.2	86.3	58.5	77.5	79.0
1955	76.6	71.6–83.5	80.4	86.3	61.2	77.5	79.0
1954	76.2	71.1–83.5	80.8	86.3	61.2	75.1	79.0
1953	76.2	71.1–83.5	80.8	86.3	61.2	75.1	79.0
1952	76.2	71.1–83.5	80.8	86.3	61.2	75.1	79.0
1951	76.3	71.0–83.3	81.0	86.5	61.2	75.1	79.0
1950	76.7	71.2–83.5	81.1	86.5	61.2	75.1	81.1
1949	75.9	70.0–82.9	79.1	86.5	60.4	75.1	79.5
1948	75.9	70.0–82.9	79.1	86.5	60.4	75.1	79.5
1947	75.3	69.4–82.5	79.1	86.5	60.4	75.1	76.5
1946	73.5	67.3–80.5	78.4	86.5	60.4	75.1	68.4
1945	68.6	62.3–76.6	70.9	83.9	59.7	71.8	58.2
1944	67.1	60.7–75.3	70.0	82.9	58.1	74.4	52.2
1943	66.4	59.9–74.5	70.0	82.9	58.1	74.4	49.5
1942	66.4	59.9–74.5	70.0	82.9	58.1	74.4	49.5
1941	66.4	59.5–74.1	70.0	82.9	58.1	74.4	49.2
1940	66.4	59.5–74.1	70.0	82.9	58.1	74.4	49.2
1939	66.2	60.0–74.4	69.7	83.8	58.1	74.4	47.9
1938	64.6	57.5–72.6	72.5	84.5	56.2	68.3	45.2
1937	64.6	57.5–72.6	72.5	84.5	56.2	68.3	45.2
1936	64.6	57.5–72.6	72.5	84.5	56.2	68.3	45.2
1935	64.6	57.3–72.4	72.5	84.5	56.2	68.3	45.2
1934	64.6	57.3–72.4	72.5	84.5	56.2	68.3	45.2
1933	64.6	57.3–72.4	72.5	84.5	56.2	68.3	45.2
1932	64.6	57.3–72.4	72.5	84.5	56.2	68.3	45.2
1931	64.5	57.2–72.3	71.9	84.5	56.2	68.3	45.2
1930	64.7	57.6–72.6	72.1	85.4	56.2	68.3	45.3
1929	64.5	57.2–71.9	71.7	85.4	56.2	71.4	42.2
1928	64.0	57.1–71.6	71.3	85.4	55.6	71.4	41.3
1927	63.7	56.9–71.7	71.3	85.1	55.6	69.9	41.3
1926	63.7	56.9–71.7	71.3	85.1	55.6	69.9	41.3
1925	63.7	56.8–71.6	71.3	84.9	55.6	69.9	41.3
1924	63.6	56.3–71.3	71.5	84.9	55.6	69.9	41.0
1923	63.6	56.3–71.2	71.7	84.6	55.6	69.9	41.0
1922	63.2	56.1–70.9	70.7	84.6	55.6	69.9	40.0
1921	63.2	56.1–70.8	70.6	84.6	55.6	69.9	40.0
1920	63.8	56.4–71.1	70.6	84.6	55.6	72.6	40.6
1919	63.8	56.8–71.2	69.6	84.4	55.6	74.0	40.6
1918	58.7	52.2–65.5	46.4	83.1	55.5	74.2	39.8
1917	58.7	52.2–65.5	46.4	83.1	55.5	74.2	39.8
1916	58.7	52.2–65.5	46.4	83.1	55.5	74.2	39.8
1915	58.8	52.5–65.6	46.4	83.4	55.5	74.6	39.8
1914	58.7	52.6–65.9	46.7	83.4	55.5	73.8	39.8
1913	58.4	52.3–65.9	47.7	84.1	54.5	71.2	39.8
1912	58.4	52.3–65.9	47.7	84.1	54.5	71.2	39.8
1911	58.3	52.2–65.8	47.7	84.4	54.5	71.2	39.2
1910	58.2	52.0–65.2	47.7	84.1	54.5	73.8	37.3
1909	57.7	51.1–64.5	47.7	84.1	54.5	70.6	37.4
1908	57.6	51.1–64.5	47.7	84.1	54.5	70.6	37.1
1907	57.6	50.6–64.2	47.7	84.1	54.5	70.6	36.9
1906	57.6	50.6–64.2	47.7	84.1	54.5	70.6	36.9
1905	57.6	51.0–64.6	47.7	84.1	54.5	70.6	37.1
1904	57.3	51.0–64.6	47.7	84.1	54.5	69.5	36.5
1903	57.3	51.0–64.6	47.7	84.1	54.5	69.5	36.5
1902	57.3	51.0–64.6	47.7	84.1	54.5	69.5	36.5
1901	56.9	50.7–64.2	47.7	84.1	54.5	69.5	35.1
1900	56.8	50.6–64.1	47.1	84.1	54.5	69.5	35.1

CITE THIS PROFILE

Source and attribution

Democracys.org (2026), “United Kingdom Democracy Score, 1900–2025,” Democracys Standard v1.0 beta; derived from Coppedge et al. (2026), V-Dem Country-Year Dataset v16.

Open source DOI

NEARBY IN THE 2025 RANKING

#28New Zealand79.1 #29Poland78.9 #31Jamaica77.7 #32Mauritius77.4

All rankings

How democratic isUnited Kingdom?

United Kingdom, 1975–2025

Northern Ireland’s power-sharing institutions resumed work

Elections

Public reasoning

When did the biggest shifts appear?

Five dimensions of democracy

Free and fair elections

Rights and checks on power

Public participation

Public reasoning

Political equality

Two kinds of evidence.One clearer picture.

United Kingdom score table

Source and attribution

How democratic is
United Kingdom?

Two kinds of evidence.
One clearer picture.